Letter from the President

Another academic year is winding down here at Dixie State University, and what a monumental year it has been. Thanks in no small part to the Utah State Legislature’s incredible support for higher education and the students of Utah, continued growth in campus facilities and academic programs is on the horizon for DSU.

Dixie State’s general classroom building request is among the higher education projects the Legislature funded during the 2022 General Session. Expected to open prior to the Fall 2025 semester, the $56 million building will feature more than fifty classrooms, one hundred faculty offices, and twenty study rooms to accommodate our growing student body, which has increased by 44 percent since 2015.

The Legislature also granted the University authority to issue bonds for Campus View Suites III, a student housing facility that is projected to add 500 beds to campus. The $62.5 million facility is also expected to open by the start of the Fall 2025 semester.

On the academic front, the Legislature allocated the University more than $2.5 million in ongoing performance and growth funding. Among other priorities, this funding will help the university hire faculty and staff to meet the needs of the more than one hundred academic programs we have added in the last five years alone. These programs advance regional economic growth by training highly skilled and career-ready graduates. The funding will also allow DSU’s Booth Wellness Center to offer students more medical and mental health services at no cost amid increased demand as enrollment grows and students navigate the ongoing COVID pandemic.

The University was also granted $3 million toward the transition to Utah Tech University, which takes effect July 1, 2022. Beginning this summer, we will start to rebrand our university to reflect the active learning experiences and career preparation our polytechnic institution offers.

Beyond the Legislature, other entities are seeing the momentum taking place on campus and partnering with us. The university is working with the U.S. Navy to offer Trailblazer Child & Youth Programs in which college interns travel across the globe to host after-school and summer programs for the children of military personnel while earning academic credit. Additionally, we have teamed up with technology workforce development company Pluralsight to offer the university community unlimited access to thousands of online courses and hands-on learning experiences on innovative technology topics. This partnership allows students in all academic fields to expand their technology acumen and be prepared to compete in an increasingly digital world.

With the support of the Utah State Legislature and our many partners, we will continue to offer our students and community unparalleled “active learning. active life.” opportunities that will not only prepare them for successful careers and meaningful lives, but also contribute to the vitality of our community. That makes every day a great day to be a Trailblazer.

Richard B. Williams, President of Dixie State University